TRACKS IN THE SNOW

A glistening dell,

white-clad and temple-like,

a line of fresh-made tracks

beneath a spruce’s spike,

where winds have not come in
to shake the boughs of snow,
and in a winter’s blue,
the sunlight shimmers low.
 
It’s here we see a pattern,
while breathing crisp air,
the prints of whitetail deer
preserved in snowy care.
The pointed toes had followed
the ones before them made,
and dainty ones, too,

had crossed the frozen glade.

The wisest and the learned

trust in established ways

through cold and drifted trials

to kinder, warmer days;

So, let us raise a prayer

and speak our human need—

to step within the footsteps

of Sovereign-made lead.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

 

 

TRACKS IN THE SNOW

Happy New Year!

Let us keep anticipating seeing God’s mighty hand at work in our lives as we continue in prayer together. Let us rejoice and be glad in the year 2023! Jesus said He will be with us to the end of the world and we know He keeps His promises.

With the new year comes a new word at the end of every blog post here on my Poems and Prayer blog. Unless you scroll down now, you’ll see this year’s word when you read to the end. 

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

When I used to teach music, students mimicked my motions to a song. They marched around the music room after me, feeling the beat in their step, clapped the rhythm of the melody, hopefully understanding how different it was from the steady beat, and arched their arms to show musical phrasing, like I did.

There is no surprise in that one cannot see very far walking in darkness. Jesus promises the ‘light of life’ to those who follow Him. Because of faith, the faithful can feel the beat of the Holy Spirit, responding, sometimes, with a march, and other times, in a slow, graceful dance. God the Spirit, who dwells in the hearts of believers, enables them to see His goodness in their lives. We wave our arms in joy, grateful for what He has brought us through.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18

Creator God makes the rules of His creation. The Designer knows His design. Honor Him in faith and being meek. He can envision because the vision of spiritual eyes is connected with faith in Jesus Christ. Without faith in His only begotten Son, the way is completely void of the light of life. 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3

God’s truth is the same as it was last year.

And prayer still works. Let’s be diligent and orchestrate a praying log—a praying habit, a praying practice. Spur one another to keep praying. Pray for each other. Be prayer warriors. If praying is anything like exercising alone and you fail miserably at it, then get a personal trainer! Have someone hold you accountable. Ask someone to pray with you.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew 9:9

Rise up, shepherd, and follow. Jesus called Matthew and other disciples years ago and He calls us to follow today. To be a good follower means to get out of the leader’s way. To be a follower of Jesus Christ means to trust where He leads. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I know who holds tomorrow. If we live by the Spirit, then may we walk in the Spirit. 

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Deuteronomy 13:4

Like most animals, deer take the path of least resistance. They follow a path already broken from the one who went first. Creation reminds us to trust God’s lead. Follow His tracks into 2023. 

Order my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalm 119:133

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20:7

 

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

1 Peter 2:21

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Jeremiah 6:16

We learn that some people chose not to follow. It can be concluded that non-followers end up not getting rest for their souls. The Great Heart Reader knows the human heart (which He created), whether for or against. I encourage you to choose wisely. Unto us, salvation is given. Receive and follow.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

Isaiah 61:1

In the tracks of the Holy Spirit, let us walk in our integrity in the year 2023 and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus’ meekness.